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The BlogFri, 01 Dec 2017 18:55:30 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.195204377Believehttp://www.dawanahug.com/2017/12/believe/
http://www.dawanahug.com/2017/12/believe/#commentsFri, 01 Dec 2017 17:04:15 +0000http://www.dawanahug.com/?p=11342There is something to be said about believing. Belief gives us hope. It has taken me a while to come to this realization, but it dawned on me recently. Do you believe in Santa Claus? Do your children? When I was growing up I knew that no fat white dude was sliding down […]

It has taken me a while to come to this realization, but it dawned on me recently.

Do you believe in Santa Claus? Do your children?

When I was growing up I knew that no fat white dude was sliding down my chimney to bring me gifts. A. I didn’t know any white people. B. I didn’t have a chimney. C. There were burglar bars on my window, so he couldn’t come in that way. And let’s be real, my mother ruined it when she told us that she works hard to buy our gifts, so…

My kids believe in Santa. Not because I pushed Santa on them, but in our culture it just goes that way, right? They hear about Santa at school or on the playground and BOOM! Santa is coming. With gifts to put under the tree and reindeer to feed. It’s wondrous to me how the slightest mention of Santa will bring the children to attention. Their eyes light up with such joy at the thought that this magical man could be bringing them every. single. thing. that they circled in the Target toy catalog.

Momma’s got some work to do to make their dreams come true this year, lemme tell you.

Do you believe in God? I do. And no judgement if you don’t, but look- millions of people around the world believe in this Man that they’ve never seen, heard from, or touched. That He will bring us peace, joy, and so much more. We believe. We believe that he can heal, save us, forgive us.

We believe.

I wonder, then, why it is so difficult for us to believe that a woman could have been raped, molested, or assaulted today, yesterday, last week, 9 or 30 years ago. That she has just built up the courage to say out loud “this man violated me” and we raise eyebrows and say, “Okay, whatever. Liar.”

Here is a woman bearing something so intimate, yet we don’t believe. Women who can’t even go get a massage or act in a movie or sit in a studio with a predator without him thinking he has the right to touch her, and yet we don’t believe.

Does it matter when it happened? Does it matter what circumstances it happened under?

I always think, what if she was your mother? Daughter? Grandmother? Aunt? Friend…

Would you believe?

And let’s be clear, it shouldn’t take it being someone in your family or fold for you to believe.

What blows my mind even more is that the person who mustered up the courage to come forth and say what happened to her has so much to lose as well, so much public scrutiny, embarrassment, shame, yet she stepped forth anyway, and we shoot her down. We take the side of men that we don’t even know, although we think we do. He acted in that movie, he produced that song, he was in that TV show for years. He would never.

But he would. He could.

These are men in positions of power who feel like they have free reign on a woman’s body. These are men who have no regard for women who catcall and touch us as we walk by.

But we believe them.

The question for me is never how long it took a woman to come forward because hell, it took me over 20 years to say those words out loud.

Do you believe me?

Am I a liar?

Belief is a funny thing. We can believe in things that we can’t see, hear, or touch. But when something or someone is brought to our attention that can be seen and heard, we ignore it. We shun the people who have come forth.

What will it take for you to believe? When a woman is found dead? Beat up?

And then we say “why didn’t she say something?” or “she should have left.”

Well, she would if she could have. But who would believe her?

Not you.

We should all listen more. Take more time to believe more. Maybe if we did and men knew that she would be believed they wouldn’t do it in the first place.

]]>http://www.dawanahug.com/2017/12/believe/feed/111342Review: Aftershokz Trekz Airhttp://www.dawanahug.com/2017/11/review-aftershokz-trekz-air/
http://www.dawanahug.com/2017/11/review-aftershokz-trekz-air/#respondMon, 20 Nov 2017 18:40:54 +0000http://www.dawanahug.com/?p=11345“Disclaimer: I received a Aftershokz Sportz Titanium to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!” I’ve reviewed a pair of Aftershokz headphones in the past and was pretty excited when I learned that they made […]

]]>“Disclaimer: I received a Aftershokz Sportz Titanium to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!”

I’ve reviewed a pair of Aftershokz headphones in the past and was pretty excited when I learned that they made headphones without the cord now. I am all about wireless headphones when I run because I hate the feel of the cord inside of my shirt and when I leave it outside of my shirt my arms always get tangled in it no matter what I do.

These awesome headphones are lightweight, don’t go in the ear (which is amazing) because they use the fabulous Aftershokz bone conduction technology and for me, they don’t bounce around when I run.

What I love most about these headphones is the great battery life that they have. I am not a fast runner, you’ll usually find me at the back of the middle pack and therefore I need headphones than can last as long as I am out running. These headphones? Definitely hit the mark as they have a six hour battery life.

They connect quickly and turning the volume up or down can be done at the touch of a button on the headphones. I have run several races with these and can’t think of any complaints at all. Check out the headphones and grab yourself a pair here.

]]>http://www.dawanahug.com/2017/11/review-aftershokz-trekz-air/feed/011345The Buff® Pack Run Caphttp://www.dawanahug.com/2017/08/buff-pack-run-cap/
http://www.dawanahug.com/2017/08/buff-pack-run-cap/#respondSun, 20 Aug 2017 20:10:57 +0000http://www.dawanahug.com/?p=11337When I gear up for a race, I try to pack as lightly as possible… keyword being try. I often fail at this conquest, so you’ll often see me with my hat, a water bottle, a pack that goes around my waist, my headphones- the list goes on. After the race I’m always trying to […]

When I gear up for a race, I try to pack as lightly as possible… keyword being try. I often fail at this conquest, so you’ll often see me with my hat, a water bottle, a pack that goes around my waist, my headphones- the list goes on.

After the race I’m always trying to gather all of these things together because I’m hot, I’m sweaty, and I want them off of me. Being given the opportunity to try out a hat that I can ball up and put in the pocket of my running skirt? Was everything I needed in my running gear life.

This cap is so lightweight! What I love most is that it can fit over my head of dreadlocks, which can often be a problem and leads me to choose visors over actual hats when running. And can we talk about the colors for a second?

]]>http://www.dawanahug.com/2017/08/buff-pack-run-cap/feed/011337Feel The Oohttp://www.dawanahug.com/2017/08/feel-the-oo/
http://www.dawanahug.com/2017/08/feel-the-oo/#respondSun, 13 Aug 2017 00:09:10 +0000http://www.dawanahug.com/?p=11329I was already a believer in Oofos shoes, so when I got the opportunity to review the OOcloog I jumped on it! I stand on my feet throughout the day and I love clogs, so I knew these were shoes that I had to try. As someone who suffers from severe plantar fasciitis, I have […]

I was already a believer in Oofos shoes, so when I got the opportunity to review the OOcloog I jumped on it! I stand on my feet throughout the day and I love clogs, so I knew these were shoes that I had to try.

As someone who suffers from severe plantar fasciitis, I have to wear orthotic inserts in most of my shoes. The OOcloog is a departure from my everyday routine of changing my orthotics into a different shoe.

Walking in these all day is seriously like walking on a cloud. They hug my arches, which feels amazing, especially when my heels are on fire from my plantar fasciitis. I especially enjoy the little holes in the side of the shoes as it feels like I have a little air vent.

I also love the shiny black color. In short? These shoes make my feet happy and my heart happy. Great for wearing at work or just walking around the house, I can’t say enough about the OOcloog.

These shoes are a part of the Ribbon Originals. As a part of this effort, OOfos will donate $10 of every pair they sell to breast cancer research.

]]>http://www.dawanahug.com/2017/08/feel-the-oo/feed/011329Open Letter To My Future -isthttp://www.dawanahug.com/2017/05/open-letter-future-ist/
http://www.dawanahug.com/2017/05/open-letter-future-ist/#respondSat, 13 May 2017 00:52:12 +0000http://www.dawanahug.com/?p=11316Dear Pea, The other afternoon we jumped into the car and you said: “Mom, look what I found today.” I am never surprised to hear something like that from you, what does surprise me- is what you found. Two days ago, you’d brought me a rusty screw, bolt, and washer. “Wha- why do you have this?” I said. […]

I am never surprised to hear something like that from you, what does surprise me- is what you found. Two days ago, you’d brought me a rusty screw, bolt, and washer.

“Wha- why do you have this?” I said.
To which you replied “I found it.” Very matter-of-factly. (aka duh mom, what kind of question is that?)

We had a good talk about tetanus shots and rusty screws and telling an adult or leaving things where you found them. Then I threw the screw and its friends away.

You? You’re an explorer. A wonderer.

You like to seek, find, question, and look closely at all things.

So when you opened your palm to show me this:

“What the heck is that?” is really the kindest thing that I could muster up because in my brain I said “Good Lord, what animal’s poop is that?”

“It’s a gall.” You said proudly.
“G-O-L-L. Goll.”

Hmmm a goll?? I thought.

“And what is a goll?”

“It’s a thing that grows on trees to help them when they are not doing well.”

“Aaaand who told you that?”

“My teacher.” You beamed as I looked in the rear view mirror.

I had a brief flashback of our guided nature hike at MOSI and I remember her talking about trees having canker or somethingortheother and immediately I knew that your gall was disgusting.

I spent every red light reading up on this gall.

“OK Google. What is a tree goll?” I asked.

Google quickly let me know that a tree gall is an abnormal growth that occurs on tree leaves, twigs, or branches.

Abnormal? Oh hell naw.

Next red light, I dove in.

“There are 1,500 species of gall producers, the majority of which are insects and mites.”

PRODUCERS Y’ALL!!!

INSECTS. AND. MITES Y’ALL!!!

“The psyllids remain inside the galls until they emerge as adults in late summer to early fall.”

PSYLLIDS Y’ALL.

LIKE- NO.

PSYLLIDS IN MY CAR. IN MY KID’S HAND.

I…

Lord help my soul.

“Um, Pea. Did you know that galls g-a-l-l can be formed by insects? That sometimes they feed in there or lay eggs in there and there could be larvae in there?”

“Oh.” You said.

I think you knew very well where this conversation was going.

“No, I didn’t know that mom.” You said.

“Yeah. So there could be future bugs in this gall” I said “and bugs don’t belong in our home or our car.”

“But what if they’re ladybugs?” You said.

And then I almost lost it.

Cause, yes, ladybugs are beautiful creatures. That live OUTSIDE and belong OUTSIDE.

This is why I love you. Because that fact doesn’t even matter one bit to you.

“Well, listen kid. I think you should read this article.”

I handed you my phone and you got to read all about mites and larvae and psyllids and mites and feeding inside of galls and- blech!

I think I made your day by doing that because you were able to learn so much about the rock-looking thing that you found on campus at school.

I giggled to myself as I thought my kid.

Picking up mites and larvae and shit.

If you’re not a scientist-researcher-astronaut-botanist-explorer-oceanographer-zoologist…SOMETHING with an -ist when you grew up, I’ll have had you pegged all wrong.

Speaking of ists, we learned that the study of plant galls is a career that you can pursue and it is called cecidology(Thank you, Wikipedia). So maybe you’ll be a person who does that (are they called cecidologists? I don’t know).

So after we talked about the potential for bugs to hatch out of the gall, we agreed (or more like Mommy said) that we should get rid of it.

“I think it’s awesome that you found this lovely gall, Pea…” (I really don’t) “but how about we just take a picture of it and then release it back to mother nature? Outside. Where it belongs.”

“Okay.” You said.

No fuss. No muss.

Love that about you too. Sometimes your logical side kicks in. Or maybe it’s your “my mom is going into absolute freakout mode and I’m not interested in that, so I’ll just do what she says” side.

Whichever it is, I appreciate it.

So here’s to that one time you found this awesome, poop looking gall on the ground and thought to bring it in and show it to mom.

]]>http://www.dawanahug.com/2017/05/open-letter-future-ist/feed/011316Oofos. Say Ahhhh. {Review}http://www.dawanahug.com/2017/03/oofos-say-ahhhh-review/
http://www.dawanahug.com/2017/03/oofos-say-ahhhh-review/#respondTue, 21 Mar 2017 20:29:47 +0000http://www.dawanahug.com/?p=11293“Disclaimer: I received a pair of Oofos to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!” When I was asked to review Oofos, I jumped on board immediately. There has always been talk in the running community about recovery sandals and […]

“Disclaimer: I received a pair of Oofos to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!”

When I was asked to review Oofos, I jumped on board immediately.

There has always been talk in the running community about recovery sandals and I have felt very “meh” about them– not really sure if they would live up to the hype. BUT, as someone who has flat feet and suffers with plantar fasciitis, I did want the opportunity to see if these would help with the pains that I sometimes feel after running long distances.

The shoes have a very unique-looking sole and according to their website, the Oofoam technology absorbs “37% more of the impact to reduce the stress on your feet, body and soul to help you recover.”

I’m gonna go with TRUE.

If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter at all, you’ll have noticed that I’ve been sharing my experience with these and truly, I don’t ever want to take them off. If they were less sandal-y and more professional-y, I could wear them to work.

Walking in these Oofos is seriously like what I imagine walking on a cloud would feel like. They are so soft and provide so much cushion underneath my feet. They truly help my feet feel well loved not only after a race, but after standing on my feet all day while teaching.

Project Pink

The shoes that I received are a part of the project pink selection at Oofos. What is Project Pink? When you shop, you will help Oofos raise money for the Dana-Farber Oncology Research Fund. $10 from every Ribbon OOriginal purchased will go directly to breast cancer research! So go on and get yourself a pair!

Bottom line?

I am in love and would definitely recommend them for someone looking into them. Just go for it. They offer a variety of styles for women and men, so I think you’ll be able to find one (or two) that you like.

]]>http://www.dawanahug.com/2017/03/oofos-say-ahhhh-review/feed/011293Breaking Up is Hard to Do… Or Something Like Thathttp://www.dawanahug.com/2017/03/11287/
http://www.dawanahug.com/2017/03/11287/#respondFri, 17 Mar 2017 19:47:35 +0000http://www.dawanahug.com/?p=11287My baby has left me. Well, not really, but I’m here. Here being the car dealership getting new airbags (thanks, Takata) and she’s… not here. Yesterday I got a text message from her good friend’s mom offering to take her out for lunch and then to play at one of our local indoor play places. […]

Here being the car dealership getting new airbags (thanks, Takata) and she’s… not here.

Yesterday I got a text message from her good friend’s mom offering to take her out for lunch and then to play at one of our local indoor play places. “I’ll take her and you go do… something” she said.

Me: “Well, I actually have an appointment at the car dealership to get new airbags.”

Her: “Oh! Perfect. You go get airbags and she’ll come with me. I’ll pick her up after school.”

Me: “I mean… yeah. I have to talk to her dad, but it sounds good to me.”

Her: “Okay, great- text me!

When the husband got home he said “yeah, I’m cool with that” and that’s it.

No major discussion about it.

No talk of who, what, where, when, why, how, and are they a pedophile.

Just “yep.”

I was really surprised about how quickly we were able to come to the consensus that I almost took my own pulse because who am I?!

As I sit here at the car dealership, I’m having a slight bit of anxiety, but I also didn’t take my meds last night, so there’s the answer to that.

About an hour ago she texted and asked:

So first of all, I appreciate her asking me if my kid can have soda. I don’t assume that anyone’s child can have what I give my child from sunscreen to soda to bug spray to candy to McDonald’s. I always ask the parent. So that made me feel at ease.

Then just her reassurance like “take your time!”

Oh. Okay.

My baby.

“BABY”

She’s good. She’s with her friends and an adult that I know and trust and it’s all good.

And there’s nothin’ wrong with that. Actually, that’s me dropping my kid off at daycare when I’m off in the summers. LOVE YOU, BYE.

But in other cases? We just haven’t been there yet. In all of our 8 years of parenting her, the only people who have been able to take our child somewhere out of our presence and DRIVE HER IN A CAR WITHOUT US, nonetheless? Have been her grandparents.

]]>http://www.dawanahug.com/2017/03/11287/feed/011287Race Recap: Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade 5Khttp://www.dawanahug.com/2017/03/race-recap-atlanta-st-patricks-parade-5k/
http://www.dawanahug.com/2017/03/race-recap-atlanta-st-patricks-parade-5k/#respondThu, 16 Mar 2017 23:18:02 +0000http://www.dawanahug.com/?p=11266 I was co-planning a surprise birthday party for a friend and used this 5K as a decoy to get her out and away from the house while her husband worked. What I wasn’t expecting was that it would be freezing cold that day (“freezing in Southern terms meaning […]

I was co-planning a surprise birthday party for a friend and used this 5K as a decoy to get her out and away from the house while her husband worked. What I wasn’t expecting was that it would be freezing cold that day (“freezing in Southern terms meaning 38 degrees) and all of the hills that Atlanta holds. My thighs are so much stronger now… or something like that.

Packet pickup was available two days prior as well as the morning of right outside of Colony Square. It was easy peasy- you received a shirt and race bib. No goodie bag or anything like that. They were giving away green sunglasses and green beads before the race for free that you could wear, though I wasn’t sure if the race organizers were doing it or if it was in preparation for the parade that would happen after the race.

Parking was readily available in local parking garages. I can’t remember the fee we paid, but the race directors did give out $8 off tickets that you could use when exiting the garage. So depending on how long you hung out after the race, you would just have to pay the balance.

There weren’t any port-o- potties, but you could walk into the Shops At Colony Square to use their public restroom and wait in the warm lobby until the race began.

The start line was right outside of the Shops At Colony Square. There were vendors taking St. Patrick’s-themed photos in front of the Midtown sign and promoters around for the upcoming Chips movie taking pictures and giving out swag (shirts and bags) as well. I wasn’t behaving very well before the race and… well. Fortunately, they uncuffed me in time to run.

Let’s talk about the elevation.

I think it is safe to say that the course is not flat.

And clearly I don’t know much about regions because I had no IDEA that Atlanta was gonna hit me with all of those hills. Lord help my buns and thighs. It was no joke, so be prepared for that.

There was only one aid station just past the 2-mile mark and they had water.

I saw 1 photographer while running through Piedmont Park and that’s it. They posted the pictures in their Flickr album and on their Facebook page for free after the race, so that was nice.

Upon crossing the finish line, runners received their medal, there was also water, bananas and some bars available. Runners received a free beer from Reformation Brewery and there were two food trucks available for a price and one giving away food for free. (Guess which food truck I went to??)

On top of the food listed above, the post-race party included a live band playing music. Runners were able to sit and chill (truly chill, since it was so cold) on the tables and chairs out on the square and enjoy their post-race beer and food. Race directors also held a raffle to give away some small prizes, which was cool.

It’s definitely a race I would do again. Running through Piedmont Park was a treat as it is absolutely gorgeous. It’s a small hometown race, but what a great vibe both before and after!

Did you run this race? You should post a review on Bib Rave. Check my review out here.

]]>http://www.dawanahug.com/2017/03/race-recap-atlanta-st-patricks-parade-5k/feed/011266Review: Aftershokz Titanium Headphoneshttp://www.dawanahug.com/2017/02/afterhokz-headphones/
http://www.dawanahug.com/2017/02/afterhokz-headphones/#respondSat, 18 Feb 2017 16:11:03 +0000http://www.dawanahug.com/?p=11260“Disclaimer: I received a Aftershokz Sportz Titanium to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!” I was very skeptical of these earphones when I first received them because I thought “how loud can they be if […]

]]>“Disclaimer: I received a Aftershokz Sportz Titanium to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!”

I was very skeptical of these earphones when I first received them because I thought “how loud can they be if they aren’t in my ears” and “they have a wire. I’m not sure.”

My husband bought me wireless headphones about 2 years ago and I haven’t looked back. I was worried that the wires on the Aftershokz would get in my way while running, but boy was I wrong. I have taken these bad boys on short runs and on my long runs and they have been a wonderful addition to my running gear.

The first time I wore them, I kept readjusting them on my head thinking that I wasn’t placing them appropriately on my head. Once I got them where I thought was correct, the sound truly impressed me. It’s important to note that Aftershokz don’t go into your ears like traditional earbuds, but instead go on the outside of your ears.

In regards to the wire, I put it underneath my tops and that helped keep it out of my way. I love that I don’t have to worry about the battery dying on me if I am out for more than one hour, which was a common problem with my wireless headphones. (You can do music + calls for up to 12 hours.)

I also love that these headphones have the same features as my wireless headphones. There’s a mic for taking calls, I can skip songs, pause, and press play without having to take my phone out, and they’re sweat-proof. This is important, because this girl? Can sweat.

I can’t quite think of any negatives that I have experienced while using these headphones over the past few weeks. They have been great and I am excited to continue to run with them.

Head on over to the Aftershokz website and check out their selection. If you do choose to make a purchase, I don’t have an Aftershokz code for you, but what I can offer you is an awesome Bib Rave Pro perk. If you follow this link:

]]>http://www.dawanahug.com/2017/02/afterhokz-headphones/feed/011260Race Recap: Daytona Beach 1/2 Marathon Relay & Speedway Challengehttp://www.dawanahug.com/2017/02/race-recap-daytona-beach-12-marathon-relay-speedway-challenge/
http://www.dawanahug.com/2017/02/race-recap-daytona-beach-12-marathon-relay-speedway-challenge/#respondWed, 08 Feb 2017 23:21:56 +0000http://www.dawanahug.com/?p=11251I was looking for a great girl’s weekend runcation where the best friend and I could catch up and run at the same time. The Daytona Beach Half was on my list of “someday runs” (yes, I have such a list) and what was great was that they offer a relay option. My best friend […]

I was looking for a great girl’s weekend runcation where the best friend and I could catch up and run at the same time. The Daytona Beach Half was on my list of “someday runs” (yes, I have such a list) and what was great was that they offer a relay option. My best friend has never run a half, nor is she sure she ever wants to and I knew that my knee couldn’t quite handle one. So the relay was perfect for us!

This year was the inaugural year for the speedway challenge, which is the option to run both the half marathon and then lap the track with the 5K. Never one to turn down a challenge, I knew I wanted to do this as well. It would be a great time for us to walk, talk, and catch up.

Packet pickup was available the day before the race and the morning of at the speedway. I went the day before just to scope out the area, get a beat on what the parking situation was like, and let’s face it– waking up extra, extra early on race day to get my packet is really not my thing.

Parking was free and plentiful. They actually had runners pull up on the grass right outside of the speedway, so that was perfect. We were just steps away from the start line.

The potties at the start line were plentiful, but you needed to use your observant eye to find them. Right next to where we parked, there was one restroom and the line was very long. Upon asking an employee, we found out that there were a multitude (I’m talking 5+) other restrooms scattered throughout, so I was able to walk around and find a restroom with no line.

The start line was right on the track and again steps away from parking. What was great about this was that they had a car loop the track to start us off and as someone who is not very NASCAR-savvy, it was very cool to see (and hear) a race car in person.

We were told that the course covers “the speedway, to the beach, and back.” Since I participated in a relay, I only ran half of the course and my best friend was able to do the second half. I think she might agree that she got the short end of the stick because as we learned, the second half involved running over a bridge twice. Oops.

The first half of the course started on the track and then mostly ran through neighborhoods, nothing truly exciting to see there. The second half once crossing the bridge went on the beach for a bit, then circled back to the track.

There were a good number of aid stations with both water and gatorade to drink along the course. The volunteers were great and very cheerful and supportive! Just past the 10K mark there was gatorade, water, fuel (in gel form) and potties for runners.

I believe I saw photographers in two or three spots along the route. Photos were made available two days after the event. The local newspaper was there and also shared some candids from the race, which was cool.

Upon crossing the finish line, half marathon runners received their medal, water, a Daytona race towel, and a freezing cold washcloth to cool off with. They also had a time table available to receive a slip with your official time right away.

The post-race party included free eggs, sausage, cheese potatoes (which were SO DELICIOUS), bananas, and oranges. Runners also got free beer, but the line was too long for me so I just headed back to my hotel.

There were lots of race cars out and about available for photos. There weren’t very many vendors, though. I believe I saw two tents pitched with vendors there.

It was overcast this year, which was perfect because I can’t imagine how much more difficult the race would have been had the sun been out pounding down on us.

For the 3.1 “Lap the Track,” runners and walkers lapped the 2-mile track, exited the speedway for a short time outside before returning to the track for the finish. This portion of the course was pretty flat and if I had run it, I imagine that it would be a fast run.

Goodies for the speedway challenge included a jacket and a medal. All in all, speedway challenge runners would have received: 3 medals, 1 race towel, 2 race shirts, and a race jacket.

This was my first time participating in any type of race challenge. I am glad that I chose to walk the 5K portion because my feet and calves were singing to me after my half of the half and we got some great best friend bonding time since we don’t get to see each other often.

The atmosphere of this race was so wonderful and I would definitely consider doing it again.